The 24th Londonderry School District Adult Education Commencement saw 28 earnest, enthusiastic, proud and happy young men and women receive their diplomas Thursday night, June 2 in the Londonderry High School cafeteria.
Alternative Education Director Amity Small took in the overflow crowd that reached standing room only numbers early in the evening and told the graduates’ families and friends, “These graduates are a special group. The teachers are the ‘backbone’ of why the program is so successful but these students never gave up on their road to their high school diploma. They are brave, passionate and bright.”
Her message to them as they step off into their future was, “Don’t be nervous – be excited for what’s ahead of you.”
Superintendent Nathan Greenberg complimented the graduates on their perseverance, pride and courage. He said they have received the skills they need and have succeeded and are ready to take the next step, and he wished them all the best and great success in whatever they chose.
School Board Chairwoman Nancy Hendricks told the graduates she was proud and honored to be taking part in their big night. She said their success is a good example of the truth of the statement that it takes a village for the students sitting on the stage to have arrived at that moment.
“Your hard work has paid off,” she told the graduates. “Your diploma is just the beginning. You have learned good study habits and have the skills to carry you forward. The door is open and your possibilities are endless. What matters most is that you finished this program. As you move forward in whatever you decide to do, do it with purpose and do it well.”
She urged the graduates to remain motivated and to march to their own drum. “Dream big,” she said, “because if you can dream it, you can do it, so take risks and go meet the world with open arms.”
Alan LaBranche, one of the Adult Education teachers, called the class “absolutely amazing” and a “special class.” “They came to class with enthusiasm, bringing strong opinions and a desire to learn, and they developed a plan and they will succeed,” he said.
Shannon Burne, another Adult Education teacher, said she was happy to celebrate this group of students. “Make good choices that everyone can see,” she told them, and urged them to pay attention because now they are in charge.
Adult Education teacher Edward Burgess presented a scholarship course voucher to New Hampshire Community College to Rebecca Carignan.
Two student speakers, Emily Love and Sean Merrill, also addressed their peers and the audience.
Love said she was finally at the end and was more than ready to begin making a life for herself. She thanked the teachers and staff and her family for being there for her. “Thanks to all of you who’ve believed in me. That is why I’m here tonight,” she said.
Merrill said school had been a challenge – just getting to school was difficult, but he said his grandmother had encouraged him to do what he needed to do to become a nurse anesthetist, so he had entered the program.
“Successful is to have the love of family and friends,” he said.
Love, 16, said before the ceremony that the Adult Education program was awesome. She said she was ready to get out of high school and away from all of its distractions and get on with her life.
“I took my SATs and am waiting for my scores but I plan to go to college and am thinking about physical or occupational therapy,” she said. “I don’t want to take a year off, I am ready now. Going through the program was amazing and super fun, and was much better than regular high school.”
Merrill, 18, said of the program, “the teachers and staff are all so attentive and take a personal interest in us. They’re awesome. But I am ready to get on to bigger and better things.”
Graduate Mike Kelly, 18, said of the program, “it gives kids an opportunity if they struggle with regular high school because of disability or other issues and it works for them. The caring and attentive teachers make it like family.”
Photo: LHSAEGraduation,jpg
Caption: The graduates of the Londonderry School District 2016 Adult Education class are pictured on the high school steps just before they headed to the stage to receive their diplomas. Photo by Penny Williams